Tongue-support



(No Model.)

TONGUE SUPPORT.

` No. 510,560. Patented 1160. 12, 189s.v

UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DELMA H. YOUNG, OF WALNUT SPRINGS, TEXAS.

TONGUE-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,560, dated December 12, 1893.`

Application led May 8,1893- Serial No. 478,409. (No model.) i

same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a tongue and front gearing of a wagon provided with my invention, redundant parts of the tongue and wagon being broken away and omitted. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the spring detached from the wagon. Fig.3 is a side View of the same, and Fig. 4. is an end View of the same as seen from the front end of the wagon.

My invention relates to an improvement in a wagon tongue spring, to support a part of the weight vof the free end of the tongue, thus avoiding the disagreeable weight, and wear on the animals neck. The spring is preferably formed of round spring steel, with two or more coils, resting on the tongue rod adjacent on each side of the tongue. Said coils can be varied in size and number to gain the proper amount'of elasticity. The firmness of the spring is so adjusted, as to receive about ninety per cent. of the weight of the free end of the tongue,when said tongue is in its normal position, thus leaving about ten per cent. of the weight to rest on the breast straps to hold the tongue steady and properly guide the wheels; this makes the improvement far superior to a common stift tongue, which has a free play between the team, of about ten to twelve inches, which allows the wheels to con-- tinually out the ruts, thereby increasing the draft.

Referring to the drawings: A designates the axle or sand-board. B designates the axle hounds. C designates the tongue hounds; and D designates the tongue. I is the usual cross bar; and J designates the tongue rod; all shown as in general use.

The spring is formed of one piece of about iive-eighths inch spring steel; bent near the center of its length to a U form, of about four or tive inches in width; then each side' is wound to two or more coils or, ct, allowing the central part at the U to project down beyond the coils for about two inches, (as shown in Fig. 3,) to extend across beneath the tongue; and the 'rear end bent down at b, to extend beneath the bar I, and extended to reach beneath the axle A, with a long eye e on its end to receivethe kingbolt f; and with its other end bent down to the side of the tongue and then across beneath the tongue with the projecting end h bent upward to prevent its disengaging from said tongue. The coils or spirals a, a, are about three inches in diameter, and are wound in the direction of the resistance ofthe spring. The eye e is of sufficient length to allow the spring to tit on wagons of different length of axle hounds B.

To place the spring in position, the free end of the tongue D is elevated, the tongue rod J is withdrawn, the spring placed in position, and the tongue rod J replaced extending through the coils a, a, which coils will rest on the tongue rod J.

The spring is of proper curvature to receive the proper amount of weight of the free end of the tongue when said tongue is in its normal position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The combination with a spring having the coils a. a, connected by a U bend, extending across the tongue, with the ends extending from each coil in opposite direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have 'affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DELMA H. YOUNG.

Witnesses:

J. A. MCCLELLAN, WILLIAM YOUNG.. 

